Ryan McCann Returns New With Blowtorched Fire & Smoke Multiples Preview Of GCCP Miami Show


1xRun Thru Interview
Gold Chains & Champagne Multiples by Ryan McCann

1xRun: Tell us a little bit about these pieces. How did the idea and execution come about?    
Ryan McCann: This is a new process I have developed over the past few years that has stemmed from my blowtorch work. The idea came from experimenting with new ways to burn images into wood. I played a lot with highly flammable gels and liquids and letting them char the wood but for these pieces I preferred the low contrast image it created when held over the flame.mccanngccp1xRUN: This release is part of your upcoming solo show titled “Gold Chains and Champagne”. Can you tell us a little more about that?
Ryan McCann: The show opens April 13th at the Black Square Gallery in Miami . The concept for the show stemmed from my love of rap and hip-hop in the 90‘s and my fascination with Communism. The excess portrayed by hip-hop artists meshed with the scarcity and ideological foundations of Communism fueled the imagery for the show. As for these multiples, I wanted to create these simple works of influential communist figures that are to be purchased in our free economy. Maybe it is the irony. mccannbannerConsumerism and Communism at play with each other that makes me happy. I wanted to see the literal translation of this concept so we had Stalin indulge in Western culture and turned his escapades into a music video. There will be a variety of work including new blowtorch pieces, some sculptural elements and a new technique I developed that makes the wood glow.

1xRun: How long did these pieces take?    
Ryan McCann:  The creating of the image happens under a minute but the entire process of prepping and finishing the pieces happened over a period of 2 weeks.

1xRun: What is unique about these pieces?     
Ryan McCann:  I believe these are the only communist portraits made with fire and smoke in existence. multiples6401xRun: Can you bring us up to speed since your last release?
Ryan McCann:  The last 4 months was spent in the studio making work for my solo exhibition. Now that the work is finished I have started on my next “Death to…” piece. There are actually a few new ones in the pipeline and I am excited to see them come to life in the coming months. I am also in talks to showcase the whole series for an exhibition in the coming future.1xRun_Ryan_McCann_Death_To_1xRun: Do you listen to music while you work? If so what?
Ryan McCann:  I love music when I am working and it is pretty eclectic for the most part but lately a buddy of mine turned me onto Father John Misty which I have been listening to non-stop.

1xRun: What else have you been up to since your last release with us?
Ryan McCann:  A lot of interpretive dance. And I have had some fun this year on TV playing a pilot on the recently cancelled Don’t Trust the B In Apt.23 and as a Kentucky Detective in the FX series Justified.

1xRun: Any plans for the upcoming spring and summer?
Ryan McCann:  I am getting married this summer in England to an incredible woman that has changed my life. We will vagabond around Europe for a bit and then if we don’t end up staying in Spain I will come back to LA and get to work in the studio.

-1xRUN